My friends and I finally picked a date suitable for the three of us to go out on a weekend. And long before now, we had agreed to visit the much talked about Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC). We settled for Saturday, 23rd March, 2019.
We had agreed to meet up at the popular CMS bus stop at about 10am, but as Lagos traffic would have it, we left by past 11am instead from the bus stop where we boarded a bus headed for Ajah (at N200 per person). From the Lekki toll gate, the journey was traffic free and in less than 14 minutes, we had arrived our bus stop (Chevron) from where you can see the Conservation Centre toll sign post.


lalasticlala

Approaching the entrance, we met so many cars parked on both sides of the road leading towards the place. One of us actually thought we are about to gate crash a wedding. I was seriously hoping she was wrong tho. Fortunately, she was wrong . The cars represented the number of folks who drove down to see the place like we came to.

Mental note: If you're not a crowd person, visiting LCC on weekends isn't advisable.

We proceeded to purchase our ticets from the ticketing officer. Each adult pays an entrance fee of N1000 to access any facility in the centre except for the canopy walk. You'll have to pay another thousand (N1000) for that. Since the canopyplans walk was in our plans, we paid a total of N6000 for the three of us. And here's where our adventure started.

Buckle up amigo.

Instead of rushing to join the tour guide taking the new comers on a tour of the place, we decided to do it our way. Slow and steady.

Lemme tell you a bit about this place


About LCC

The Lekki Conservation Centre was established in 1990 by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and is located in the coastal environs covering an approximate land area of 78 hectares, extending from kilometer 19 along the Lagos-Epe Expressway and ends up a very close distance to the Atlantic Ocean near Okun Ibeju Village, Eti-Osa Local Government Area in the Eastern district of Lagos State. It represents the flagship project of NCF for the preservation of the unique biodiversity, scenic, natural, scientific and recreational values of the coastal environs of the south-western Nigeria.
It is the only vibrant protected area in Lagos State and one of the very few vibrant tourist destinations of repute in Lagos and has thus been recognized as one of the notable Sites/Monuments of special interest and exceptional relevance by the Lagos State Government under the LISTED SITES for the preservation, protection and restoration of historical properties and cultural heritage in Lagos State and for connected purposes.

(culled from www.ncfnigeria.org)

Back to our tour


We entered the nature park through the nature trail, which serves as the path between the Administrative area and the family park on the other end (2km in length). On our way, we met some monkeys that were swinging from tree to tree, catching cruise. One came down to meet us, but was disappointed when we didnt have anything for the 'boys' . The day was very sunny and this made the green vegetation and pathway beautiful. Breathing fresh air and experiencing quiet is a luxury here in Lagos so we didn't mess with the opportunity the nature park afforded us.

After 16 minutes of going through the trail, we approached the canopy walkway which I can say is the highest point of visit for anyone coming here. This walkway is 401 metres long and the longest in Africa. It is an engineering feat and an amazing suspended swinging bridge walkway through the mosaic of vegetation types characterizing the LCC Nature Park. Only those between the ages of 15 - 65 can be allowed to use the walkway. Why? it is quite a scary walkway, lol. it consists of 6 bridges joined to different platforms in-between them. the first three bridges keep elevating as you walk on them, till you get to the 4th one where its a level bridge. Afterwards, its a journey back to level ground. I won't lie o, I wanted to do 'hard guy, hard guy', but I found myself wondering who sent me when I looked down and found out we're several hundred feet away from mother earth .

Another mental note: If you have phobia for heights, the canopy walk isn't for you. please, don't listen to those village people pushing you to overcome your fears. Just continue on the nature trail and you'll still arrive on the other side of the park, just like the person who took the canopy. Capisce?

When we got to the walk, we had to wait for those already there to go first. I was even glad cos I wasn't sure I wanted to go with one of those folks

Now it was our turn to 'show dem camp'


I thought it'll be a cake walk but it wasnt. The tension, the dangling bridge, the thought of 'final destination movies' lol .

We arrived the family park after a 32 minute experience on the walkway. The entrance to the park is something one can't resist to stand and take few shots. We atually took many, lol. We saw the several board games which includes Draft, Chess, Snake and ladder, Ludo, etc. and had lil fun on them. By now, everyone was exasperated from the canopy's long walk  and the scorching sun wasn't helping. So we settled under a tree and took our lunch and a brief rest.

Satisfied, we left for the rest of what the park had for us. And the next we met was the Tilapia and Koi ponds. My interest was the Tilapia pond because it had more activity in it with a differnt variant of tilapia fishes. The koi pond wasn't so active. I still dunno why some folks wanted to touch the fishes or do things that were clearly stated as 'prohibited' in the notice beside these ponds. some guys who were playing football beside the tilapia pond kicked the ball that it somehow landed in the pond with a huge splash. That was when we took the cue to leave.



Then we tried something on a ad beside the pond

We proceeded to the Jungle gym facilities (Zip Lines, monkey bars, etc) to have a feel of that too.

It was 3:49pm and we had to cut short exploring other parts of the park and start heading back home, before the traffic gets serious to get through. You can decide to take the canopy walk back if your liver is as strong as Daenerys Targaryen on those dragons . We took the wooden trail alternative so we could have a swing at the last thing to do before we run home. The Treehouse.

The treehouse is one of the unique attractive spots of the park. It was constructed on a huge tree which its major branch at the top rests on another tree. I'm guessing the supporting tree was planted there by the park or they discovered them that way and thought of a house at the top. Either way, the treehouse is wonderful and fun. Except that we couldn't climb it as there was a crowd there when we got there . Waiting for our turn meant sleeping in traffic that day and that's something we weren't even thinking of.

We hurried our steps out until we got out of the centre. Lagos reality hits you when you approach the expressway (to find your way home) and you're greeted by the noise and air of Eko which resets you to default settings .  I was stunned to see more people and cars trooping into the park when we were leaving. I guessed they were island residents and won't have to worry about traffic or getting home on time like us.



P.s: LCC is opened 8:30am and closes 5:00pm  everyday, all year!


the second picture is something that reminds me of a Particular super mod on nairaland

I was tempted to make a comparison between the LCC and the nature parks  across Cross river state, but I couldn't. Cross river has an undue advantage over LCC or any parks in Nigeria  because of the so many places  it boasts of which would  leave you in awe of nature (such as the Afi mountain wildlife sanctuary, Drill monkey ranch, national park, Obudu cattle ranch/mountain resort, etc). And another reason being that its been years I visited Cross river state.

Nevertheless, I must commend the Nigerian Conservation Foundation for the incredible job they're doing here in the LCC. Not just here in Lagos, they're responsible for preservation of areas dedicated for conservation and endangered animals too.  
The lekki conservation centre is a getaway spot to enjoy nature in its wild, a good retreat location, couple's date destination, excursion point for groups/schools, music video shoots and finally for our pre-wedding pipu .

They accept several endangered and rare animals from the public for preservation in their parks all over the country, so our monitor lizard, animal poaching Nairalanders and Nigerians as a whole, you can reach out to any of the park closest to you (by checking the list on www.ncfnigeria.org)  and support the preservation of our wildlife for the future.

Thank you .

I'll soon put up another post on a (25km) hike I made with a fitness group from Snake Island to Tarkwa Bay Beach the Saturday after my LCC trip (i.e. 30th March, 2019).

Cc lalasticlala Dominique mynd44 seun explorers
Amakavula

While at it, you can read about my other trips below;


1. Hiking through the Snake Island:

https://www.nairaland.com/5256746/hiking-experience-snake-island

2. Lekki conservation center (LCC):
https://20somethingsteps.travel.blog/2019/12/25/about-our-trip-to-the-lekki-conservation-center-lcc/



3. Nike art gallery :
https://20somethingsteps.travel.blog/2019/12/18/everything-art-about-our-visit-to-the-nike-art-gallery/


4. Johnson Jakande Tinubu (JJT) Park, Ikeja:
https://20somethingsteps.travel.blog/2019/12/24/a-visit-to-johnson-jakande-tinubu-jjt-recreational-park/


5 Freedom Park: (formerly Her Majesty's Broad Street Prison) :
https://20somethingsteps.travel.blog/2019/12/09/prison-to-park-a-solo-trip-to-freedom-park-formerly-her-majestys-broad-street-prison/

6. Tarkwa Bay Beach:
https://20somethingsteps.travel.blog/2019/12/24/sand-water-and-fun-a-day-at-tarkwa-bay-beach/

And follow us on
IG: @20somethingsteps

and visit our blog: https://20somethingsteps.travel.blog/ to read other about other trips follow up on future ones.

Ciao


Cc: Explorers , lalasticlala , Dominique , Mynd44 ,DisGuy , justwise , erad , prof800

More pishures

Nice

I can see one ass for there..Hope una fucckk for there sha?

Wel done
E ku flexing

Lovely

FTC
Nice trip you got there with your friends, I could see it was all fun...

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I admire your adventurous spirit! But for my side, the hussle for food no go let me remember say conservation centers they exist.

Nice one

Good and cool but some spots look creepy...especially that warning against snakes and crocs....yoook

happney65:
I can see one mad ass for there..Hope una fucckk for there sha?

There is more to life than just sex bro. Get a life

Wow.
OP really enjoyed himself.
See as write up full everywhere.
I’m happy for you and surprised that Nigerians are slowly but surely embracing hiking as a hobby.
My sedentary friends’ bodies have changed drastically for the better ever since they started the activity.
I hope more Nigerians take it up.
One staying for long in their comfort zone without exploring is the worst disservice they can do their bodies and minds.

U try sotey u occupied the whole page
Just tell us u went on a date

hmnnnnn

Cool.... This lady is well Chested and Blessed with loads of baby's diet.... I wish I can have some (feeling like a baby now)...... LMAO....�����